Australia’s greatest painter, William Robinson, has died at the age of 89.
Robinson is a two-time Archibald Prize winner, with Equestrian Self Portrait in 1987, and Self Portrait with Stunned Mullet in 1995.
He is one of the only Australian artists with an entire gallery dedicated to his work, the William Robinson Gallery at the University of Technology in Queensland.
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On Wednesday, the University of Queensland Art Museum shared the news.
“It is with deep sadness we acknowledge the passing of Dr William Robinson AO,” the museum posted on Instagram.
“Beyond his artistic achievements, Bill was known for his self-deprecating humour and quiet humility, qualities that made him not only admired but deeply respected by those who had the privilege of working with him or being taught by him.
“He was, unfailingly, a pleasure to collaborate with and will be missed.
“We are honoured to uphold his enduring legacy through the work we do at the William Robinson Gallery each day.
Robinson graduated from Brisbane’s Central Technical College in 1962, an early frontrunner of QUT’s Gardens Point campus.
He went on to teach art at several of the university’s predecessor institutions, before leaving teaching in 1989 to pursue his artistic career full-time.
He was critically acclaimed for his striking compositions of south-east Queensland rainforests and seascapes.
As well as the Archibald Prize, he won the Wynne Prize for landscape in 1990 and 1996.
Robinson’s work is held in all major Australian public art museums.
His work is also held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Vatican Museums in Vatican City, and the British Museum in London.
The artist has been awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Southern Queensland, Griffith University, and his alma mater, QUT.
In 2007, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his outstanding achievement and service to the arts.
Upon hearing the news of his death, fans of his work flocked to celebrate his life.
“Oh, very sad indeed. Vale William. Thank you for your extraordinary vision,” one person wrote on Instagram.
“Forever loved by us all,” another added.
“Very sad indeed. I enjoyed meeting Bill on a number of occasions when framing his work over the years.”
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